Shropshire Council Newsroomhttp://shropshire.gov.uk/news
Fri, 09 Dec 2016 11:46:29 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6Handmade gifts on sale as Shropshire Council staff raise money for charityhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/News-ShropshireCouncil/~3/5LGLVAsgd6A/
Fri, 09 Dec 2016 11:46:00 +0000http://shropshire.gov.uk/news/?p=36454Continue reading »]]>A large range of items, many of them handmade by Shropshire Council staff, will go on sale this coming Monday, 12 December, to help raise money for charity.

Items including jewellery, greetings cards, knitted toys, clothes, handbags, cakes, books and Christmas decorations will be on sale at a Christmas Fayre at Shirehall in Shrewsbury.

The event runs from 12 noon to 2pm.

There will be around 20 stalls at the Fayre and each stallholder is being asked to donate a minimum of £5 to the charity of their choice. People visiting the Fayre will also be able to make a donation to each stallholder’s chosen charity.

Clive Wright, Shropshire Council’s Chief Executive, said:

“This will be another brilliant opportunity to help some worthy causes this Christmas, and the fantastic range of items that are set to go on sale next week shows what a creative bunch of people we have working for the Council. I’m really looking forward to seeing all the stalls and to snapping up a few Christmas gifts.”

]]>http://shropshire.gov.uk/news/2016/12/handmade-gifts-on-sale-as-shropshire-council-staff-raise-money-for-charity/Shropshire Archives closed from end of Friday 9 December until Wednesday 21 Decemberhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/News-ShropshireCouncil/~3/LwOhVrhiLv8/
Fri, 09 Dec 2016 09:49:38 +0000http://shropshire.gov.uk/news/?p=36447Continue reading »]]>Shropshire Council’s Shropshire Archives will be closed from the end of today (Friday 9 December 2016) for essential behind the scenes work.

Like many archive services across the country Shropshire Archives closes for one week, to allow for time to do essential behind the scenes work which can only be done during a closed period. The service will close at 4pm today (Friday 9 December 2016) and reopen at 10am on Wednesday 21 December 2016. This period has been chosen as it is typically a quiet one for the service.

Shropshire Archives

Mary McKenzie, team leader at Shropshire Archives, said:

“We hope our customers will understand the need for us to work on these key tasks. This year we will be working on a major development of our online services, including a much- improved online catalogue, easier online payments and advance ordering. During the week we will be testing the system with staff, volunteers and customers. If you would like to take part in the customer testing, please get in touch. The new system will be formally launched early in 2017.”

During the closed period customers can still telephone and email the service, though detailed enquiries will only be responded to once the service is fully open.

When local NHS published the Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) for Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin, it was immediately criticised by both area’s councils.

Now national body NHS England has said that it too shares the councils’ concerns, particularly that the STP does not stack up financially.

In a letter to the STP’s lead Simon Wright, NHS England make a number of comments and state: “Regionally there is little confidence in the STP as the basis for operational planning. This is specifically because it does not address the CCG deficit position”.

It goes on to say that the STP would need £271 million of external funding between 2017 and 2021 and that there is a risk that this level of capital borrowing will not be available, while the STP highlights that a further £40 million is required, making the total £311 million.

Cllr Shaun Davies, leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, said:

“These latest comments are not surprising given the unrealistic timescales the STP Board is working to set by NHS England. NHS England’s concerns echo those that both councils made, particularly around a financial model that bears little resemblance to reality. I am sure everyone will agrees this is a work in progress and that a considerable amount of further work is needed and this will take some time.

“We absolutely agree that local health services need to evolve but what is outlined in the STP is, I believe, simply not realistic. It’s another reason why any proposals for hospital services must offer the best value option, because this will ensure that more can be invested into other parts of the health economy and community health services, that can do so much to ease pressure on our hospitals and prevent people from needing to go there in the first place.

“Both councils are committed to working with the STP Board to help it develop this further and ensure it fully reflects what we and other partners want to see for health services here.”

Malcolm Pate, Leader of Shropshire Council, said:

“I recognise that in an attempt to meet unrealistic deadlines to submit the STP, essential steps have been missed out and not enough work and thought has gone into making the STP document stack up.

“It was absolutely right that both councils pointed out obvious flaws both before and after the STP was submitted, whilst at the same time recognising that we have made progress and partnership working is improving.

“The feedback received from the NHS on the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin STP bears out what we said, and demonstrates why we stepped up to support our communities and local organisations.”

]]>http://shropshire.gov.uk/news/2016/12/sustainability-and-transformation-plan-joint-statement-from-councils/Decisions made by South planning committee on 6 December 2016http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/News-ShropshireCouncil/~3/A_qF7vGHpsM/
Wed, 07 Dec 2016 13:39:43 +0000http://shropshire.gov.uk/news/?p=36432Continue reading »]]>The following decisions were made by Shropshire Council’s South planning committee at its meeting at Shirehall, Shrewsbury on Tuesday 6 December 2016.

Fox Studio, King Street, Much Wenlock (15/01850/FUL) Proposed extension and conversion of existing studio building to form two residential units and one commercial unit. Decision: That Planning Permission be granted as per the officer’s recommendation, subject to the conditions set out in the minutes of the South Planning Committee meeting held on 11 August 2015 relating to materials, surface water drainage, programme of archaeological work, landscaping, Construction Method Statement and the removal of Permitted Development Rights.

Manor House Farm, Abdon, Craven Arms, SY7 9HZ (15/05096/FUL) Conversion of 2No farm buildings to 1No dwelling and erection of link extension. Decision: That Planning Permission be granted, as per the officer’s recommendation, subject to the conditions as set out in Appendix 1 to the report; an additional condition requiring submission of a scheme facilitating an amended and more sympathetic treatment for the link block with less fenestration and consideration of the use of stone walling and slate tiling; an additional condition to ensure the principal entrance to the property continues to be obtained from the western elevation and to prevent vehicular access within the courtyard area.

Proposed dwelling adjacent to 22 Park Lane, Shifnal, TF11 9HD (16/03128/FUL) Erection of 1No dwelling and formation of vehicular access (revised resubmission). Decision: That Planning Permission be granted, as per the officer’s recommendation, subject to the conditions as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

Parking bays at Woodberry Close, Bridgnorth (16/03288/FUL) Formation of new parking bays (fronting numbers 6 to 12 Woodberry Close) to include bollard security and landscaping. Decision: That this application be deferred in order for the applicant, in consultation with residents, local Ward Councillors and Bridgnorth Town Council, to explore and consider alternative schemes.

Proposed dwelling to the south of Hopesay Farm, Hopesay (16/01597/FUL) Erection of single dwelling and formation of vehicular access. Decision: That, contrary to the officer’s recommendation, Planning Permission be refused, for the following reasons: Due to the siting, scale and design of the proposed dwelling, in particular the loss of the significant gap in the street scene and impact on views from the Shropshire Way; and the overbearing mass of the red brick built form, the proposed development would not make a positive contribution to the local character and distinctiveness and would result in an adverse change, detracting from the character and appearance of the village, Conservation Area and its AONB setting. The proposal is therefore contrary to development plan policies CS6, CS17, MD2, MD12 and MD13 and paragraphs 58, 60, 64, 115 and 131 of the NPPF.’

Wigley Farm, Ludlow, SY8 3DR (16/03014/EIA) Erection of 2 No. additional poultry buildings and associated feed bins and hardstanding. Decision: That Planning Permission be granted, as per the officer’s recommendation, subject to the conditions as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

For further information relating to the decisions go to our online planning register and search for the application by using the reference number or keyword.

]]>http://shropshire.gov.uk/news/2016/12/decisions-made-by-south-planning-committee-on-6-december-2016/Decisions made by North planning committee on 29 November 2016http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/News-ShropshireCouncil/~3/vgGgfUet3eY/
Tue, 06 Dec 2016 15:43:35 +0000http://shropshire.gov.uk/news/?p=36427Continue reading »]]>The following decisions were made by Shropshire Council’s North planning committee at its meeting at Shirehall, Shrewsbury on Tuesday 29 November 2016.

Oakfields Kennels, Heath Road, Whitchurch, SY13 2AA (16/03848/FUL) Erection of one block of 30 kennels. Decision: That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1.

Land west of London Road, Irelands Cross (15/02805/REM) Approval of reserved matters (access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) pursuant to planning permission 13/02698/OUT (Phase B – Approval for plots 1 to 5 and 7). Decision: That planning permission be granted, subject to: The conditions set out in Appendix 1; and the additional Highways conditions referred to in the Schedule of Additional Letters.

Land west of London Road, Irelands Cross (15/02806/REM) Approval of reserved matters (access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) pursuant to planning permission 13/02698/OUT (Phase A – Approval for plots 6 and 8 to 10). Decision: That planning permission be granted subject to: The conditions set out in Appendix 1; and the additional Highways conditions referred to in the Schedule of Additional Letters.

The Retreat, Bolas Road, Ercall Heath (16/04106/FUL) Erection of two-storey extension to existing residential care facility. Decision: That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1.

Proposed residential development, land off The Beeches, Chester Road, Whitchurch (15/05325/REM) Application for Reserved Matters (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) pursuant to permission 14/02830/OUT for the erection of up to 15 no. dwellings. Decision: That planning permission be granted, subject to: the Conditions set out in Appendix 1 with condition 7 amended to refer to plots 1 and 14; that permitted development rights be removed from plots 1 and 14; and that the approval be withheld until the unilateral undertaking (UU) relating the gifting of the land has been finalised.

Proposed affordable dwelling, south east of Pit Farm, Pentre Coed, Ellesmere (16/04022/FUL) Erection of a single storey dwelling and garage under the ‘Build Your own affordable Housing’ scheme. Decision: That, contrary to the officer’s recommendation, planning permission be granted, subject to: Planning Officers being granted delegated powers to attach appropriate conditions; and A Section 106 Legal Agreement to ensure the property remains an affordable dwelling in perpetuity.

For further information relating to the decisions go to our online planning register and search for the application by using the reference number or keyword.

]]>http://shropshire.gov.uk/news/2016/12/decisions-made-by-north-planning-committee-on-29-november-2016/Blog: Why more companies need to hire veteranshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/News-ShropshireCouncil/~3/lCh1tsRD7kU/
Tue, 06 Dec 2016 15:26:12 +0000http://shropshire.gov.uk/news/?p=36425Continue reading »]]>Supported employment service, Enable, is working with Veterans charity, Walking with the Wounded, to help support Veterans with mental health needs into employment.

Enable is part of Shropshire Council and has over 20 years’ experience of ensuring clients find a career path that suits their interests and skills – ultimately helping them to achieve steady employment in mainstream in competitive jobs.

Here, Leanne Morrissey, Head of Enable’s Veterans Project, speaks about the importance of employment in civilian life for Veterans:

“November 11 2016 marked the 98th Remembrance Day since the end of the hostilities of World War I; something that is widely recognised across many different communities. It is important, still, to recognise the position of today’s Veterans. The responsibilities that rest on the shoulders of our Armed Forces personnel is immense. By entering into extreme circumstances, they show great courage and dedication in the name of our country. For some, this can end in the ultimate sacrifice of losing their life in the course of duty, while others can be left with both physical and mental scars that can last a lifetime.

Most people leaving the Armed Forces go on to live perfectly happy lives, however, mental illness has been known to affect some Veterans. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often associated with people leaving the Armed Forces, however it is only a small part of the overall problem including depression, anxiety and substance misuse. For a Veteran who is struggling with a mental health need, whether it is PTSD, depression or anxiety, finding employment can be a daunting, yet necessary journey.

Employment has a key role to play in the recovery of one’s mental health as it is such a crucial part of our lives – not only does it provide us with financial benefits, it also brings benefits to our mental wellbeing and our social lives. Joblessness and lack of social networks, particularly when caused by mental health needs, are often exasperated by discrimination and profound loss of social status – these aspects are made even more intense for Veterans due to leaving such a structured environment in which your job dictates your social status. Military discharge can lead to profound changes in identity, both in servicemen’s perceptions of themselves and in their relationship with the rest of world – some go from being honoured and respected members of society to claiming benefits and sometimes even finding themselves homeless, two conflicting statuses from either end of the social spectrum. This highlights both why it is so easy for a veteran to develop a mental illness and why employment and social inclusion are so crucial to their recovery.

Finding employment after leaving the Forces can be extremely difficult, particularly for someone who has a mental health need. Unfortunately, employers can miss out on the talent offered by veterans as recruitment practices can fail to recognise this valuable experience which could help companies that may be facing recruitment, retention and skills shortage challenges.

Employing a Veteran can come with many benefits to a company, for example; Veterans are used to working in a highly team-orientated environment which gives them the skills of both giving and taking on instructions. Communication and performance are also vital when working in the armed forces and is an essential skill when working within any team, setting goals and achieving outcomes.

There is a lot that employers can gain from hiring a veteran, we have seen brilliant success through our programme. Employment is such a vital part of everyone’s lives and by employing a veteran, you are giving them a chance to succeed at civilian life at the same time as bringing new skills to your company.”

Enable is a specialist organisation, designed to support people into work. Enable’s main focus is to assist individuals with disabilities and mental health needs to find the right job that suits them. Enable delivers positive, individualised recruitment, as well as a comprehensive package of ongoing advice, guidance and support to both the client and the employer.

Enable works with employers to find good quality staff. With over 20 years of experience, the organisation has a proven track record of ensuring that clients find a career path that suits their interests – helping them to remain motivated. Enable is a champion in Individual Placement Support (IPS). This provides the framework to support people in their efforts to achieve steady employment in mainstream competitive jobs.

Enable firmly believes that employment improves health and builds self-worth, as well as bringing financial and social independence. This is something that the organisation works closely with each of their clients to achieve. With the help of innovative employment schemes and approaches, Enable constantly strives to perform above the national average.

Walking with the Wounded

Walking with the Wounded (WWTW) was established in 2010 to raise funds for the re-education and re-training of our wounded servicemen and women. WWTW helps fund training and education to help them find a career, so that they can support themselves and re-build a life in the civilian work place. Without just focusing on those leaving the services today – the lack of awareness of the impact of physical and mental injury dates back to the Falklands and Northern Ireland. WWTW aims to provide a support network to all injured veterans.

A multi-million-pound contract that will transform emotional health and well-being services for those aged 0-25 across Shropshire, and Telford and Wrekin, has now been awarded.

The new service, which has been designed in part by local young people, parents and carers, will promote emotional resilience, help to prevent mental health crises, and respond quickly to the mental health needs of children and young people. It will provide a much wider choice of service options for how children, young people and families engage with local services.

The contract has been awarded to South Staffordshire and Shropshire Foundation Trust (SSSFT) who will act as the lead in a partnership of organisations made up of Shropshire Community NHS Trust (the existing provider), Kooth (an online service that offers emotional and mental health support for children and young people), Healios (specialists in online counselling) and The Children’s Society.

Shropshire CCG and Telford and Wrekin CCG teamed up with Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council to start the procurement process earlier in the year to commission a new service, that is due to launch in May 2017.

Anna Hammond (Telford and Wrekin CCG), who has been leading the project on behalf of the four partner organisations, said:

“As part of the procurement process we have done a huge amount of engagement work with young people, service users, parents, carers, staff, organisations and stakeholders who have told us what they want to see as part of any new service. It has been extremely important to us as we wanted young people to have a real say on the services that are being created for them.

“The new service is very much based on outcomes designed by service users and aims to strike a balance between offering potential service providers enough detail to plan services effectively, but with enough space to innovate, improve and co-design local services with children, young people and their parent or carers. I am delighted that we have awarded the contract and look forward to working with the partnership led by SSSFT to deliver the best mental health services possible for the children and young people of Telford and Wrekin and Shropshire.”

Dr Alan Otter, GP lead for the project, explained:

“The model we are using reflects the needs and views of the children, young people, and their carers involved in the engagement work, who told us they wanted to see an excellent service delivered by a range of local organisations, including the voluntary and community sector. We believe the new service will create an opportunity to bring together the best talent the market has to offer, under one contract, whilst improving how services for children and young people are organised and delivered.”

“We are delighted to be the lead partner for this exciting and innovative service. Our NHS Trust has worked in Shropshire for many years, running adult inpatient and community mental health services, so it makes sense to link the services together. We are proud to be rated by the CQC as a good trust and, collaboratively, we all have the proven experience and compassion to make a real positive difference to patient care for this age group.”

Further information

As part of the procurement process, comprehensive engagement activities have taken place with service users and their parents and carers, health and care professionals, a wide range of stakeholders and service providers.

This work has seen a series of events and drop in sessions held, with more than 100 interviews carried out. The local information gained has been compared with national insight, evaluated and informed actual the service specification.

Three key market engagement events have also been held, where potential providers (statutory and voluntary) could meet and share information, talk about working together, speak with commissioners and learn more about the service specification and procurement timelines.

The countdown to Christmas has officially started. To get everyone in the festive mood, Veolia has launched an online advent calendar where each day you can get hints and tips on how to recycle this Christmas. In addition, the interactive calendar has lots of interesting facts about the waste we all dispose of every day.

Steve Mitchell, area director Midlands West from Veolia, commented:

“The Christmas period produces an extra 30 per cent more waste every year, mainly because of all the decorations, wrapping paper and cards that people throw away after the big event. In fact, each year we use enough wrapping paper to stretch to the moon.

“We want to help everyone find ways of reducing waste now, as well as how they can recycle their Christmas waste. So we thought this advent calendar would be a great way to get everyone thinking about how they can reduce waste at home and at work. The calendar has daily tips on how to send an alternative Christmas card, and how to make fun Christmas decorations from waste materials.

“In addition, there’s lots of facts about how many Christmas trees are thrown away every year and how many turkeys will be sold this Christmas.”

And it’s not just wrapping paper and cards that we can all recycle, the advent calendar provides lots of tips about how you can use up extra food, as well as how to buy that special gift which will last a year, so there really is no waste.

Steve added:

“We’d encourage everyone to take look; it really is a great little tool to learn more about recycling and how we can all play our part to reduce waste this Christmas.”

Take a look at what handy recycling tip is hiding behind door 2 today.

Further information

About Veolia UK

We are committed to protecting the environment and improving the lives of the communities in which we operate and have been awarded a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development and received a Four Star rating in Business in the Community’s Corporate Responsibility Index for 2015.

Veolia group is the global leader in optimized resource management. With over 174,000 employees worldwide, the Group designs and provides water, waste and energy management solutions that contribute to the sustainable development of communities and industries. Through its three complementary business activities, Veolia helps to develop access to resources, preserve available resources, and to replenish them. In 2014, the group Veolia supplied 96 million people with drinking water and 60 million people with wastewater service, produced 52 million megawatt hours of energy and converted 31 million metric tons of waste into new materials and energy. Veolia Environnement (listed on Paris Euronext: VIE) recorded consolidated revenue of €25.0 billion in 2015.

]]>http://shropshire.gov.uk/news/2016/12/get-daily-festive-recycling-tips-with-new-interactive-advent-calendar/Decisions made by Central planning committee on 24 November 2016http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/News-ShropshireCouncil/~3/8Kjterlcvgg/
Fri, 02 Dec 2016 11:55:28 +0000http://shropshire.gov.uk/news/?p=36416Continue reading »]]>The following decisions were made by Shropshire Council’s Central planning committee at its meeting at Shirehall, Shrewsbury on Thursday 24 November 2016.

Land at Oteley Road, Shrewsbury (16/00181/FUL) Erection of retail store, associated car parking and servicing facilities, site access and associated works. Decision: That delegated powers be given to the Area Planning Manager to grant planning permission subject to:

The conditions set out in Appendix 1;

Additional Highway Conditions as set out on the Schedule of Additional Letters;

An additional Condition in relation to the inclusion of a footpath along the side of the building for pedestrian access;

A legal agreement to secure a financial contribution towards improving public transport on Oteley Road; and

The decision not being called-in by the Secretary of State.

Land at Oteley Road, Shrewsbury (16/03786/VAR106) Variation of Section 106 Legal Obligation pursuant to SA/02/0278/F. Decision: That consideration of the application be deferred.

Land opposite The Rowans, Mytton, Shrewsbury (16/01827/REM) Application for approval of reserved matters (siting, landscaping, scale, appearance) pursuant to 13/03841/OUT for the erection of three detached dwellings. Decision: That this application be deferred to allow the Members the opportunity to view the site.

Milward Rise, Kenley, Shrewsbury (16/02140/FUL) Application under Section 73a of the Town and Country Planning Act for retrospective planning permission for the siting of 15 touring caravans, formation of children’s play area, erection of shower and toilet blocks, lighting fixtures, flagpoles and the creation of a wider vehicular access with new entrance gates and associated boundary treatment (amended description). Decision: That delegated authority be given to the Area Planning Manager to grant planning permission subject to:

The conditions set out in Appendix 1;

The rewording of Condition 2 as outlined on the Schedule of Additional Letters to extend the time period in relation to the implementation of access to six months; and

• The rewording of Condition 12 to ensure that there was no long term occupation of the site.

The Rowans, 46 Upper Road, Shrewsbury (16/04061/FUL) Internal and external alterations. Decision: That planning permission be granted in accordance with the officer’s recommendation, subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1.

Milns Bridge, Shepherds Lane, Shrewsbury (16/04085/FUL) Erection of part single, part two storey extension to include first floor balcony. Decision: That planning permission be granted in accordance with the officer’s recommendation, subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1.

Land west of Betley Lane, Bayston Hill, Shrewsbury (16/04348/FUL) Erection of a detached bungalow following removal of existing dutch barn. Decision: That planning permission be granted in accordance with the officer’s recommendation, subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1.

For further information relating to the decisions go to our online planning register and search for the application by using the reference number or keyword.

]]>http://shropshire.gov.uk/news/2016/12/decisions-made-by-central-planning-committee-on-24-november-2016/65 and over? Make sure you get your free flu jab nowhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/News-ShropshireCouncil/~3/xlJjrelxQ8M/
Thu, 01 Dec 2016 11:26:22 +0000http://shropshire.gov.uk/news/?p=36410Continue reading »]]>People aged 65 and over are being urged to take up their free flu vaccine this winter.

The call out comes as current figures (up to 31 October 2016) are showing a drop in take up compared to the same time last year.

Flu can be very unpleasant. Flu can be very severe in certain people, including people aged 65 and over, pregnant women and those with long-term health conditions such as bronchitis, emphysema, diabetes, heart or kidney disease. Anyone in these risk groups is more likely to develop potentially serious complications of flu such as pneumonia and worsening of existing conditions. The free vaccination is available to these groups from GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The flu jab is safe and effective. The viruses that cause flu can change every year, so you need a vaccination each year that matches the new viruses. Don’t put off getting the flu vaccination. If you’re eligible get it now and ensure that you have a good Christmas. It’s free because you need it.

Karen Calder, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health and well-being, and Chair of Shropshire’s Health and Well-being Board, said:-

“The flu vaccine is the best protection we have against an unpredictable virus. I can’t stress enough how vital it is for those eligible to again take up their free flu jab, as the vaccine protects against different strains of flu which can change and/or evolve each year.”

Lee Chapman, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adults, added:-

“Catching flu is a miserable experience for everyone, but for some people it can be incredibly debilitating and can increase their risk of developing a more serious illness, especially if they have an existing condition. I would strongly encourage those who are eligible to take up the free flu vaccine.”

Carers and staff who support vulnerable people are also advised to take the vaccine, as not only will it protect them, but also help reduce the risk of spreading flu to their family members and those people they support.

“Across health services in the area, we have many sick and vulnerable people in our care, and it is our duty to protect them from flu.

“That’s why we have been proactive with the ‘flu fighters’ campaign, and we are determined to increase the number of people taking up the vaccination this year.”

If you do start to feel unwell, even if it is just a cough or cold, don’t wait until it gets more serious, get help from your pharmacist. The sooner you get advice the better – pharmacists are here to help you stay well this winter.